Charlie Brereton Director at Montana Department of Public Health | LinkedIn
Charlie Brereton Director at Montana Department of Public Health | LinkedIn
Governor Greg Gianforte announced a significant investment of up to $8 million aimed at enhancing community-based response services for individuals facing behavioral health crises in Montana. This allocation follows recommendations from the Behavioral Health System for Future Generations (BHSFG) Commission and is part of the governor's previous commitment of $300 million to reform Montana's behavioral health and developmental disabilities services.
"With this investment, Montanans who are experiencing a crisis will have greater access to the support they need to get back on their feet," stated Gov. Gianforte. He acknowledged the BHSFG Commission's efforts in building stronger communities across the state.
The first initiative, amounting to up to $7.5 million, focuses on supporting mobile crisis response as well as crisis receiving and stabilization services. It aims to assist Montanans unable to stabilize through de-escalation efforts like those provided by crisis lines such as 988, thereby reducing reliance on local emergency departments, jails, and state-operated healthcare facilities.
Additionally, up to $500,000 is earmarked for developing a curriculum and certification course for crisis workers. This initiative addresses the growing need for highly trained professionals in behavioral health crises within Montana.
The BHSFG Commission was established under House Bill 872 with a mandate to provide guidance on allocating the substantial $300 million investment intended for reforming Montana’s behavioral health systems. The commission's role includes stabilizing service providers, bolstering the workforce in these sectors, expanding integrated physical and behavioral healthcare availability, and supporting new settings for intermediate care facilities catering to individuals with intellectual disabilities.
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